Gyroscopic device



lsepf. 3; 1946.

J. R. MOORE GYRoscoPIo DEVICE Filed Jan. 22, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet l Ibm/ehbo? John R. Moore,

`His, AtboT-heg.

J.R. MOORE GYRoscoPIc DEVICE Filed Jan. 22, 1945 sept. 3, 1946.

inventor John R.M ooT-e,

4, rl..y

ne 3f His Attorney.

Patented Sept. 3, 1946 GYROSCOPIC DEVICE John R. Moore, Schenectady, N. Y., assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Application January 22, 1943, Serial No. 473,156

1 Claim.

This invention relates to a magnetic device, more particularly to such a device as is useful in connection with gyroscopic control devices, such' as used in the control of gunre, and it has for its object the provision of an improved magnetic device of this character.

While it has more general application, this invention relates to a magnetic structure for use in connection with a gyroscopic control of the type in which the position of the gyroscope is controlled by means of an Aeddy-current disk revolving in a magnetic field. In one device of this character, the eddy-current disk is carried by the gyroscope, and it revolves in a magnetic field which is generated by a magnet separate from the gyroscope. When the gyroscope and the magnet are relatively displaced, eddy currents are induced in the disk which apply a torque to the gyroscope which varies with the magnitude of the displacement between the gyroscope and the magnet and which tends to precess the gyroscope to bring its spin aXis into a predetermined position with reference to the magnet.

One use for such afgyroscopi-c control'device'is to control the sighting mechanism for a gun. Such mechanism is described and claimed in the copending application of F. V. Johnson, Serial No. 459,786, led September r25, 1942, and assigned to the assignee of this invention.

This invention contemplates the provision of an improved magnetic device of the Yaforementioned character having simple, reliable and eicient means for controlling and varying the magnetic flux linking the eddy-current disk in order to vary the erecting torque vand thus the equilibrium position of the gyroscope for lany given rate of precession.

Such variation in the magnetic ux has been obtained heretofore by employing an electrical netwo-rk to Vary the current in an erecting electromagnet. But such arrangements have not been satisfactory.

.In accordance with this invention, the reluctance ofthe magnetic circuit including the eddycurrent disk andthe magnet is varied in order to vary the erectingtorque. In one embodiment of this invention, this is accomplished by varying the area of a section of a control magnetic circuit; and in another formit is accomplished by introducing in the magnetic circuit an air gap which is variable in order to vary the magnetic reluctance of the circuit. In addition, in either case further control of the reluctance may be obtained by Varying the shapes of the component parts forming the variable section, or of those forming the air gap.

For a more complete understanding of this invention, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a vertical elevation of a gun lead computer provided with a gyroscopic control device embodying a magnetic device arranged in accordance with this invention, parts being shown in section so as to illustrate certain details of construction; Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the lead computer of Fig. 1, parts being broken away and parts shown in section so as to illustrate certain details of construction; Fig. 3 is an elevation of the gyroscopic control device used in the lead computer of Figs. l and 2, parts being broken away so as to illustrate certain details of construction, andthe figure being drawn to a larger scale than Figs. l and Fig. l is a sectional view of the device shown in Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a sectional View taken through the line 5 5 of Fig. 3 and looking in the direction of the arrows; Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken through the line ES-S of Fig. 3 and looking in the direction of the arrows; Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional View taken through' the line 'l-'l of Fig. 3 and looking in the direction of the arrows; Fig. 8 is a perspective View of an element of the magnetic device; and Fig. 9 is a sectional view illustrating a magnetic element for controlling the gyroscope which is of modiied form, but is arranged in accordance with this invention.

Referring more particularly to Figs. l to 8 of the drawings, this invention in one form is shown as applied to a gyroscopic control device for use with apparatus for determining the lead angle of a gun, as required by the velocity of a target. rThe control device comprises a neutrally-suspended gyroscope l@ which is mounted in a gim'cal ring l l for movement about one axis. The ring is mounted in a U-shaped support l2 for movement about another axis at right angles to the gyroscope axis in ring il, shafts I2a being carried by the ends of the two legs of the support for pivotally mounting the ring H. The gyroscope 'is driven by a motor i3d having a driving shaft i3 connected to the rwheel of the gyroscope. The axis of the shaft I3, of course, is lthe spin aXis of the gyroscope.

The shaft I3 of the gyroscope motor rotates an eddy-current disk Hl. The disk comprises a soft iron disk over which is spun a suitable electrically conducting sheet. The Outer curved surface of the disk is approximately in the form El of a segment of a sphere which has its center in the center of suspension of the gyroscope.

Positioned opposite the disk i4 is a magnetic control device I5 which is arranged to generate a magnetic field, the flux of which links the rotating eddy-current disk so as to form a magnetic coupling between the gyroscope and the magnetic control device. It will be understood that when the disk is rotating in the magnetic field, and the axis of the gyroscope is aligned with the magnetic axis of the device I5, no eddy currents are induced in the disk which will tend to precess the gyroscope. However, if the axis of the magnet departs from the axis of the disk, the motion of the disk in the magnetic eld causes eddy currents to flow in the disks conducting surface so that a resulting torque acts on the gyroscope which tends to precess it into alignment with the magnetic axis of the device I5. lThe magnitude of this torque varies with the angle between the gyroscope and the magnet, and with the strength of the magnetic coupling.

The magnetic device i5 comprises a permanent cylindrically-shaped magnet I6. This magnet is mounted in a supporting frame I1 which is made of some suitable non-magnetic material, such as aluminum. The frame I1 between its ends is formed with opposed sections I8 having opposed curved surfaces i3d (Fig. 4). The magnet I6 is received between these surfaces, a, circular insert I3 being mounted between the sections IB around the magnet, as shown; the insert I3 also is formed of a non-magnetic material, such as aluminum; and it is secured to the sections I8 by screws 20.

The right-hand ends of the two sections I8 carry a circular inturned flange 2l, as shown, the inner side of which is provided with a beveled surface 22. Bearing against the surface 22 is a pole piece 23 (Fig. 8) which has a curved surface 24 complementary to the beveled surface 22. Extending outwardly from the center of the curved surface 24 of the pole piece is a cylindrical section 25 which is received in a cylindrical part 26 extending outwardly from the inturned cir- .L

cular flange 2 I. The pole piece 23, together with its cylindrical extension 25 are formed of nonhysteretic iron, and the cylindrical extension forms the central pole piece of the magnet.

The magnet is secured at its left-hand end, as viewed in Fig. 5 (its bottom end, as viewed in Fig. 6), by means of a bottom plate 21. rlhe ends of this plate are fastened .to the ends of a pair of side plates 28 and 29 (Figs. 4 and 5) by screw fastening means 36. These plates 28 and 29 are attached to the frame I1 by means of screws 3I. The cuter ends of the plates 28 and 29 are secured to a ring 32 by screws 33. The ring 32, as shown, seats in a recess 34 formed on the front of the frame I1.

The bottom plate 21, the side plates 28 and 23 and the ring 32, all are made of non-hysteretic 1ron.

The cylindrical flange 26 that surrounds the central pole 25 at its outer edge terminates in a wide circular flange 35 that is parallel to the vflange 2I and which at its periphery has an outwardly extending annular ange 36. Inter-posed between the flanges 2I and 35 is an electromagnet winding 31 which functions as an auxiliary means for controlling the magnetic field.

Four cap pieces 38 formed of non-hysteretic iron are ntted to the outer surface of the outwardly extending flange 36, as shown in Figs. 3, 5 and 6. These members are provided with outwardly extending flanges which are shaped as quadrants of a circle, as shown. They are provided with inclined surfaces 39 which are substantially parallel with the outer curved surface of the disk I4, as shown in Fig. 5. The members 38 are formed of non-hysteretic iron and constitute outer pole pieces for the magnet I6. They are secured to the ring 32 by means of screw studs 40 that are formed of non-hysteretic iron.

The longitudinal axis of the central pole 25 passes through the center of suspension of the gyroscope; and the lengths and shapes of the pole pieces 25 and 38 are such that their ends lie substantially tangent to a spherical surface having its center at the center of suspension of the gyroscope.

Interposed between each outer pole piece 38 and the ring 32 are external coils 4I wound on spools 42. Preferably and as shown, the spools 42 surround the screw studs 40. These are for the purpose of setting up auxiliary fields for shifting the magnetic pole if it be desired to do so.

In view of the description thus far given, it will be understood that a magnetic circuit is set up which includes the pole piece 23, the central cylindrical pole 25, the eddy-current disk I4, the outer pole pieces 38, the screw studs 46, the ring 32, the end plates 'Z3 and 29y and thence through the bottom plate 21 to the bottom end of the magnet. The lines of force of this field linking the eddy-current disk control the precession of the gyroscope to cause it to precess in such a direction as to tend to keep its spin axis coincident with the magnetic axis of the device. And as pointed out in detail previously, the magnitude of the erecting or restoring force depends upon the angle between the gyroscope and the magnet, and upon the magnitude of the magnetic coupling. This coupling is controlled by varying the number of lines of force linking the disk I4, and the number of lines is controlled by means of a secondary magnetic path connected in parallel with the primary path, and which is provided with means for controlling its reluctance so that the number of lines of force of the primary path are controlled.

The secondary path includes the magnet I6, of course, the pole piece 23, opposed side faces 43 of the pole piece 23, and a pair of non-hysteretic iron slides 44 movable parallel to the faces 43 respectively, and spaced from them by a slight air gap. Each slide bears on two parallel rods 44a to maintain the air gap and to function as anti-friction tracks for the slides. The positions of the slides are controlled by elongated nonhysteretic iron screws 45 upon which they are mounted, as shown. The screws are journaled in the frame I1, as shown, and they carry spur driving gears 46 at their upper ends. interposed between and meshing with these gears is a driving gear 41, which is attached to one end of a shaft 48. This shaft is formed in a bearing 49 (Fig. 5) which is mounted in the frame I1, as shown. This bearing is secured in its operative position by an end plate 50 secured to the frame. Secured to the outer end of the shaft 48 is a driving bevel gear 5I. The gears 46 and 41 are formed of a suitable non-magnetic material, such as aluminum. The gearing between the bevel gear 5| and the two slides 44 is such that the slides will be moved in opposite directions. The

slides are provided with outer iron guide members 52 which are located between the ring 32 and the frame I1, as shown in Fig. 6, and which are secured to these members by screws 53.

The secondary magnetic'circuit, therefore, extends from the outer end of the magnet, the .pole piece V2? andthe lateral faces 43 thereof, the slides M, the guides 52, the ring 32, the end plates. 23 and 29, and thence through the bottom plate '21 to the bottom end of the magnet I5.

The vtotal number of lines of force in the primary circuit linking the eddy-current disk i4 dependupon the number of lines of force threading the secondary circuit. Thus, if the reluctance of the secondary circuit be incre-ased, the number of lines in the primary circuit threading of the disk I1 will increase, and the erecting torque impressed on thegyrcscope Will increase;

conversely, if the vreluctance of the secondary.

circuit be reduced, vthe number of lines of force in the primary circuit threading the disk will be reduced andthe erecting torque reduced.

The reluctance of the secondary circuit is controlled by controlling the positions of the slides '4.4 with reference to the faces 43 of '23.

the pole piece When the slides 4d register with the faces 43, the reluctance of the secondary circuit is at Vits minimum, and the minimum number of force lines thread the primary path. The reluctance is increased as the slides 54 are moved in opposite directions away from their cooperating faces .Q3 in order to reduce the metallic areas through which the lines o1" force may pass. Of course, when the slides completely uncover the faces 123,

'the reluctance of the secondary circuit is at its maximum.

rIhe reluctance of the secondary magnetic circuit is` further controlled by controlling the shapes -of the components of the variable reluctance section of the secondary path consisting of lthe surfaces 63 and the slides M. As shown in Figs. 5 and the magnetic parts 54 of these surfaces |13 have been given the shapes of elongated diamonds extending lengthwise across the faces. These shapes may be obtained by cutting away the metal from the surfaces in order to give the resultant diamond shapes. The cut-away parts may be lled in with a suitable non-magnetic material, such as silver solder sections 55 (Fig. 5), so `as to make smooth and uninterrupted surfaces. The magnetic parts of the surfaces co- 'acting with the slides 4d, of course, vary the reluctance of the secondary circuit in a predetermined way as the slides move away from their positions of complete registry with the surfaces 3. The particular diamond shapes given the sections 5H are for use in a gun lead computer shown in Figs. 1 and 2, but the shapes given will depend upon the particular application of the gyroscope device.

The computer of Figs. 1 and 2, in addition to the gyroscope device described, comprises a rectangular-shaped frame 55 which partly supports the gyroscope device; the frame 56 is mounted for rotation on a fixed axis, located vertically as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2, on bearings 51 at the top and bottom, and which are located in Afixed supports 58 and 58a.

The U-shaped ba-il I2 supporting the gyroscope ring bail II is mounted on a shaft 55 which is Vjournaled in a bearing 59a carriedin the frame 55 and in a bearing -I mounted in. the xed as shown, and it is driven by a like frame Si of U-shape.

6 frame I'I fis attached to the extension (i2 so that the magnet poles 25 and 38 are received in the Vaperture 64; and also received in the 'apertured is the `eddy-current disk I4, as shown in Fig. 2. The frame I'I is rigidly attached tothe extension 52 and its depending part 63 by screws 55.

The `bail 6I is provided with shafts 55a which are 'journaled in bearings '56 provided for them in the sides of the frame 56. The bail 5I is adjustable in its bearings 56 by means of an input gear 5i which is attached to a shaft 58 that is journaled in bearings 'I8 mounted on the frame 55. The shaft 68 protrudes into the frame, as shown, and on its inner end is secured a spur gear iI. This gear drives the bail 6I supporting the magnet -through a spur gear l2, bevel gears le, and spur gear train i4, 1'5 and 'I6 which drives a spur gear 'il secured to the bail. Motion is imparted to the magnet on an axis at right angles to the motion imparted to it by the movement of the bail 6I in its bearings 66 by moving the frame 55 in its bearing 51. For this purpose, an input-drive .shaft 'i8 is provided which drives a sp-ur gear 19; this gear 'i9 in turn drives a large spur gear 8G attached to the frame.

The gyroscope i@ is moved on an axis coincident with the axis of support of the frame 56 by means of the bail I2 in its bearings 55a and This is effected through the gear 56a. The gyroscope is movable on an axis at right angles to the axis of rotation of the bail I2 by la bail- The ends of the two legs of this frame 3| are pivoted to the shafts 12a between the legs of the bail support I2 and the gyroscope gimbal ring II, as shown. The bail 8| drives the gyroscope on the shafts Ia through a switch t2 which acts as a stop. The bail 8| is driven through a spur gear B3 secured to a shafted and which is journaled in the shaft 59. The 'shaft 8d drives la spur gear-85 which in turn drives a spur gear 65 and through this gear drives a gear'i'i on a shaft 8d. The shaft 88 operates a bevel gear 89 which drives a bevel gear sector 5d secured to the frame 8|.

This switch 82 comprises a pair of spaced contacts 9| mounted one above the other on the gyroscope and a pair of cooperating spaced contacts e2 positioned one above the other and carried by the frame 8|. A similar pair of sets of contacts (not shown) are positioned at right angles to the first pair of sets just described. When 'the frame @I is moved on its two axes a pair of the contacts 92 at right angles to each other will engage their contacts 5I on the gyroscope and will move it on its two axes. A further function of the switches will be described hereinafter.

The reluctance slides 44 0f themagneti dei/10e are driven -by a spur gear 93 which drives a shaft 5ft journaled in the shaft 58; shaft |54 drives a spur gear 55 which through a spur gear @t drives bevel gears Sil; these gears 97 in turn drive a shaft 98 and this shaft drives a, gear train consisting of spur gears 95, Ifl and lill. This train drives shaft 56a of the bail 6I which shaft drives bevel gears |02, |03 and |54. Gear |54 drives a shaft |65 which idrives a bevel gear |56. This gear drives a shaft |57 which in turn drives a bevel gear |58 geared to the bevel gear 5I of the magnetic device I5.

Generally vthe lead computer of Figs. 1 'and 2 operates as do the lead computers described and claimed in the afore-mentio-ned F. V. Johnson application. But here the gyroscopic control device is remotely positioned both from the sight (not shown) and the gun (not shown). Therefore, here suitable motors (not shown) that are controlled in accordance with the sights movements are provided to control the movements of the magnetic device I5 and of the gyroscope I0. One motor responds to the sights movement in train to drive the gear shaft I8 to turn the frame 56 and hence the magnet in train and also to operate the gear 69a to operate the gyroscope frame 8| in train through the angular movements of the sight in train. Another motor drives the gear B'I to operate the magnet in elevation and also the gear 83 to drive the gyroscope frame 8| in elevation by the angle of movement of the sight in elevation. As the frame 8| is moved in train and elevation two pairs of the contacts 9| and `92 at right angles will close and will move the gyroscope with the frame. But the position of the gyroscope in space will lag behind that of the magnet, and if free, would lag by an amount dependent upon the velocity of the movement of the magnet and the coupling coefficient set by the gear 93. Here, of course, the gyroscope can lag only by the spacing between the contacts 9| and S2. But the forces tending to cause it to lag will be the same and, therefore, the aforementioned contacts will remain closed. The contacts drive additional motors (not shown) which are connected in the motor drives for the magnet train gear shaft 'I8 and its elevation gear S'I so that the magnet is further displaced with reference to the gyroscope by the train and elevation lead angles, as required by the speed of the target just as in the Johnson case, the gyrcscope and magnet will be displaced by these angles. This assumes that the gear 93 will have been set to adjust the magnet slides 44 in accordance with a correct function of the range of the target.

The motors and their intimate controls responsive to the sight and the auxiliary motor operated by the switch 82, and the gearing and mechanism necessary to control the motions of the magnet and the gyroscope controlling balls I2 and BI form no part of this invention, and it is believed to be unnecessary to describe such apparatus in detail.

In Fig. 9 there is illustrated a modification of this invention in which the reluctance of the primary magnetic circuit which links the eddycurrent disk is controlled. Here the eddy-current disk is indicated by the numeral |09. The permanent magnet I IU is mounted in a central opening of a bushing III which is formed of some suitable non-magnetic material, such as aluminum or brass. The magnet is provided with a nose H2 formed of non-hysteretic iron, and which coacts with a non-hysteretic iron central core H3 which forms the central pole or the magnet. The outer poles H4 also are formed of non-hysteretic iron and, as shown, they are connected to the bottom of the permanent magnet H through inturned flange Hla and nonhysteretic iron collar H419. The primary magnetic path includes the magnet H0, its iron nose H2, the central pole H3, the disk IEIS and the outer poles H4 that are connected with the bottom of the magnet.

It will be observed that the nose H2 is tapered and that it coacts with a tapered recess H5 provided in the central pole piece I I3. The mag- F net is adjustable up and down, as Viewed in Fig. 9, in order to vary the air gap between the nose H2 and the pole H3. This is accomplished by means of an adjusting screw H6 which is threaded in a bushing I Ia, and is received in an opening in the magnet, as shown, so that when the screw is turned it adjusts the axial position of the magnet with reference to the central pole.

The nose H2 and the complementary recess H5 in which it is received have a predetermined shape so that when the nose is moved in and out of the recess the reluctance of the magnetic path is varied in a predetermined Way as a function of a variable. The particular complementary shapes given the nose and the recess depend upon the flux characteristics desired.

In addition, the nose H2 and the recess H5 may be shaped so that the 'reluctivity of the magnetic circuit is varied as a function of another variable by effecting relative rotary motion between the magnet and the pole piece H3; in this case the nose H2 and the recess H5 will be given predetermined non-symmetrical shapes. For example, the nose may be provided with a flattened plane section I I'I.

In other words, the reluctivity of the magnetic circuit depends both upon the relative angular and axial positions of the nose I I2 and the recess H5, and is controllable as a function of two variables.

The magnet IIII may be rotated by means of a thumb screw H9 which drives a spur gear H9 that meshes with a spur gear |20 mounted on the magnet.

Also, the reluctivity of the circuit may be controlled by means of a control parallel magnetic circuit. This parallel circuit may be defined by a lateral extension |22 on the nose H2 which coacts with a protuberance |23 formed on the outer poles H4, which protuberance has a predetermined shape. The protuberance is such that when the extension |22 is rotated the reluctance of the parallel circuit will vary. This will vary the number of lines of force of the primary path that includes the disk |09.

While I have shown particular embodiments of my invention, it will be understood, of course, that I do not wish to be limited thereto since many modifications may be made, and I, therefore, contemplate by the appended claim to cover any such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of my invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

A magnetic device comprising a magnet for generating a magnetic flux, means defining a flux path threaded by said flux and constituting a first magnetic circuit, means forming a second flux path constituting a second magnetic circuit parallel to said first magnetic circuit, and including a member aligned with said magnet, and movable elements on opposite sides of said member having surfaces facing along the side surfaces of said member, said movable elements being movable in opposite directions away from registry with said side surfaces, and means for shifting said elements simultaneously with reference to said side surfaces in order to vary the reluctance of said second magnetic circuit.

JOHN R. MOORE. 

